"Apollo knows quite a lot."
In the nearby woods, Ares looked at the "Apollyse" in the distance, who had already become thoroughly familiar with Orion and was giggling on his broad shoulders, and couldn't help but mutter.
Crack.
Beside him, Artemis, whose face was full of smiles but whose veins were already bulging, couldn't help but crush the branch she was holding. Seeing this, Ares quickly advised:
"Bear with it. You know, Apollo made a great sacrifice too. Isn't this all to help you test Orion?"
"I know, of course I know." Artemis took two deep breaths, suppressing her anger, then turned her head and said, "I'm not watching anymore."
"Alright." Ares agreed, "You go back to Olympus. I'll watch over things here for you and make sure Apollo and Orion don't cross that forbidden boundary."
Upon hearing this, Artemis, who had already taken a step, forcibly pulled her foot back. She replied:
"Forget it, I don't feel at ease. I still need to watch here."
Ares looked at her expression, which was both annoyed and yet had to watch, and felt a bit uneasy himself. It was certain that if Apollo and Orion's actions became too intimate, Artemis would likely erupt with divine power on the spot, grab Orion's wooden club, and smash her brother's dog head.
The kind where both ends are smashed.
But Apollo, dozens of meters away, was still unaware of the dangerous environment she was in. She was chatting with Orion and trying her best to charm him into a daze.
She introduced herself to Orion, saying she was a princess from a small kingdom nearby. She had encountered bandits while picking flowers, her accompanying guards were killed, and she was forced to flee here, where she was saved by Orion. At the same time, Apollo subtly expressed her "love" for Orion and hoped that Orion, this hero, would return with her to that kingdom to meet her father, the Old King.
Under the control of Apollo, a seasoned veteran in romance, Orion, who outwardly appeared to be a playboy but was actually a novice in love, quickly fell into Apollo's trap and agreed to leave with Apollo.
Upon seeing Orion and Apollo preparing to depart together, Artemis, with lifeless eyes, raised her divine bow, aiming at her beloved and her brother. Ares quickly stopped her again: "This is just the first stage, it's not over yet, not over yet! Artemis, you should go back to the mountain, don't cause trouble."
Ares talked her into it, and finally persuaded the Moon Goddess to return to Olympus. Then, he rushed non-stop to the front of Apollo and Orion to set up the stage for the second act.
If you're going to put on a show, you have to do it completely. Since Apollo told Orion she was a princess, Ares had to create that so-called "kingdom."
He first quickly created a small city-state in front of Orion and Apollo using magic, and then created a considerable number of automatons within the kingdom. These automatons would act according to the logic he set. If one didn't look closely, it would be difficult to tell that these automatons were not human.
As for Apollo's "father," the Old King, that role was naturally taken by Ares himself. Anyway, it was just acting, and Ares was helping the siblings. Taking this small advantage, he believed Apollo wouldn't say much.
Once Ares had everything arranged, he sent a message to Apollo. Soon, Apollo, bringing the wildman-like Orion, appeared on the outskirts of this small city-state.
When the automaton soldiers Ares placed on the city wall captured Apollo's figure, the programs of the automatons within the city-state were immediately activated. A large group of civilian automatons rushed out of the city-state, with cheers rising and falling.
"Your Royal Highness, you've finally returned!"
They surrounded Orion and Apollo, saying eagerly:
"The soldiers who escaped said you encountered bandits, and His Majesty the King has been worried for a long time. Who is this hero? Did you save Her Royal Highness?"
Seeing these well-dressed automaton residents so enthusiastic towards him, Orion was momentarily flustered, unsure how to react. Fortunately, Apollo was by his side. Although the God of Light was initially a little surprised, he quickly reacted and, with a sacred smile, smoothly replied:
"You've all been worried. This is the great hero Orion. It was he who drove away the bandits in the forest and saved my life. I heard he can even shoot dragons and strangle lions. He's a very, very powerful hero. Everyone, come and get to know him, then I'll take him to see Father King."
With Apollo's help, Orion finally shyly greeted the residents here and received a pile of gifts from them. Then, led by Apollo and two automaton guards, he arrived at the royal palace in the center of the city-state. There, they met Ares, who was sitting on the throne.
Ares had no intention of concealing his aura, so the moment Apollo saw Ares, he recognized him, and his expression became strange. But Ares smiled and waved at him, calling out:
"Daughter, you've worried me to death. Come here quickly, let Father King see if you're hurt."
Apollo didn't speak, but just looked at Ares with a stern face. Their eyes met, and communication was quickly completed. Then a trace of displeasure flashed across Apollo's face, and he immediately changed his expression, rushing into Ares's embrace with a bright smile, and sweetly called out, "Father! I missed you so much!"
"Ugh."
The moment Apollo pounced into Ares's embrace, both of these gods simultaneously let out an extremely quiet retch.
Then, the two immediately separated. Ares lovingly stroked Apollo's head, smiling and saying:
"You really worried Father King to death."
Apollo also smiled and let Ares rub his head, only giving him an "you're gonna get it" look where Orion couldn't see.
Ares ignored this. He stood up directly and came before Orion, grasping his hands, and said with emotion:
"I've already heard everything from the guards, Great Hero Orion. Thank you for saving my daughter."
"No thanks, no thanks." Orion humbly replied, "I am Orion, a partner of justice. When I see injustice on the road, I will definitely draw my sword to help."
"That truly shows Hero Orion's righteousness reaching the heavens." Ares praised him a few times, then suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Hero Orion, my daughter and I don't know how to repay your kindness. How about this, you simply marry my daughter, and then after I die, I will pass this kingdom on to you. What do you think?"